Unlike inbox, Thunderbird does not notify me of new emails in other folders
Problem:
Thunderbird gives notification for new emails in inbox folder only, not other folders. I would be using Thunderbird, typing and sending emails, and I expect it to displays number of new emails next to folder names, but it doesn't, even after 2 hours. I need to remember and open each folder frequently, only after that it shows me new emails in those folders.
Program/computer:
I am using latest version of Thunderbird on Windows 10, have 3 Gmail accounts (IMAP) on it and I have uninstalled/reinstalled Thunderbird several times, no difference. Same problem occurs both on my laptop and desktop; both same config. I have set Thunderbird to check emails every 5mins. I also have a few filters diverting incoming mail to different folders.
Am I doing something wrong here?
Thanks in advance!
Okulungisiwe ngu Wayne Mery
All Replies (6)
So you have non-Thunderbird filters that put mail in non-Inbox folders? gmail filters?
Wayne Mery said
So you have non-Thunderbird filters that put mail in non-Inbox folders? gmail filters?
No, I have Thunderbird filters diverting incoming emails to non-inbox folders. I don't have any filters in Gmail.
Normally, when a folder contains new e-mails, the folder name will be bold, with the number of new e-mails in it in brackets.
In my screenshot below, you can see that my Spam folder has two new e-mails.
If you have subscribed to an IMAP folder, but have turned off message synchronization for it in Thunderbird, then I have found that the folder will not be updated to show if there are new e-mails or not. I don't know if it is supposed to work this way or not.
Choose which IMAP folders are synchronized to your computer:
Right-click your account in the normal folder view of Thunderbird and choose Settings.
Select Synchronization & Storage on the left side for your account.
On the top of the right side is an option to Keep messages for this account on this computer. Select it, then click on the Advanced button. Then choose which folders to synchronize.
Bruce A. Johnson said
Normally, when a folder contains new e-mails, the folder name will be bold, with the number of new e-mails in it in brackets. In my screenshot below, you can see that my Spam folder has two new e-mails. If you have subscribed to an IMAP folder, but have turned off message synchronization for it in Thunderbird, then I have found that the folder will not be updated to show if there are new e-mails or not. I don't know if it is supposed to work this way or not. Choose which IMAP folders are synchronized to your computer: Right-click your account in the normal folder view of Thunderbird and choose Settings. Select Synchronization & Storage on the left side for your account. On the top of the right side is an option to Keep messages for this account on this computer. Select it, then click on the Advanced button. Then choose which folders to synchronize.
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for the your comment and the time you put on this.
I new about this and I already had both "Keep messages" and "Sunchronize" boxes ticked, I just double checked.
I have been observing Thunderbird's behavior more closely, this is what happens:
1-Email first arrives in Thunderbird Inbox 2-inbox becomes BOLD with number 1 showing next to it 3-in less than a second the bold goes away and number 1 disappears, probably because the filter in Thunderbird is being applied to it and the message is moving from inbox to a folder. 4-when the moved message gets to the folder, Thunderbird DOESN'T make the folder name bold and also DOESN'T show number 1 next to the folder name 5-I click on the folder name to see the contents, all of a sudden number 1 appears with the new email sitting in the folder.
So basically I keep opening all folders frequently, which I shouldn't have to.
stillviable said
Wayne Mery saidSo you have non-Thunderbird filters that put mail in non-Inbox folders? gmail filters?No, I have Thunderbird filters diverting incoming emails to non-inbox folders. I don't have any filters in Gmail.
Interesting, but unlikely. The common refrain of those come here to complain about filters is that they move messages to trash and junk with filters and they still get notified.
If you are talking about gmail folders like important and family acquaintances and the like then you do have external filters at work in Gmail and you will need to turn them off on their web site if you want the mail to actually come to the Thunderbird inbox for notification and local filters to manage them.
Test to see if the same thing happens with another Thunderbird Profile. Create a new profile in Thunderbird to test with. You will not loose your main profile or any of the information in it.